Zhao Feng was finally put on trial by three courts. The Dali Temple of the Ministry of Punishment jointly handled the case and declared his guilt in front of all the people. Then he immediately went to the execution ground, beheaded in public, and ordered his head to be passed down for nine years.
This case became the most high-profile case in the Wen Dynasty for many years. The execution of a Duke also caused shock in the Wen Dynasty. Many dignitaries were actually a little trembling with fear.
At the same time, Li Ao issued a decree to demote the princes, and many princes and aristocratic families were favored and began to decline.
Li Ao seemed to have become completely older. It seemed that the betrayals around him had caused him to lose his pure trust in the people around him.
For a long period of time after that, the Qingtian Guards attacked everywhere, eradicating the remaining parties and restoring the Qingming Dynasty.
Amid this, there was a helpless situation before Song Mu and Li Ao. Zhao Feng's words that day let them know that the crisis had not been completely resolved.
But it seemed that because of this case, the person behind the scenes completely disappeared, and everything ended temporarily.
After Chang'an pulled out the nail, everything seemed to be peaceful again.
From now on, life will be peaceful and stable, and Chang'an will still be a worry-free place for human beings.
Several years have passed since this period, and Song Mu is already thirty-five.
Now Song Mu has long resigned from the post of Shaoqing of Dali Temple and has been appointed as Minister of Rites and lectures in the East Palace.
Such a promotion was the only one in the Wen Dynasty. He was so young and favored by His Majesty. Many people had high expectations for Song Mubie.
Song Mu was mostly quiet in the past few years. He gave lectures to the prince on weekdays and wrote articles for "Tian Wen Jian". Sometimes, Song Mu used his status as "Songmu Theory" to publish two more folk books. The book caused another wave of waves in the literary dynasty.
In addition, there was some stability around the Wen Dynasty, and the Wen Dynasty had many years of good harvests. The people lived and worked in peace and contentment. Various poetry sects had their ups and downs, but the Li and Du poetry sect was still the one that attracted everyone's attention. Du Mu Shizong has also shown his strength and now has become the poet with the most women in the world.
Time carries all things forward, one ebbs and the other grows, endlessly.
It is already the winter of the forty-fourth year of Chongwen, and what is about to come is another spring of the Wen Dynasty, and another grand gathering of the Wen Dynasty.
On this day, Song Mu was giving lectures to Li Dong in the East Palace.
Li Dong has now reached the level of the first-level candidate, and as a father, his aura has become much calmer, but in front of Song Mu, he still looks that focused.
In the spring of next year, Li Dong will also participate. He hopes to successfully break through the realm, so that he can start participating in politics and start a new chapter for him.
"Song Lecture, I have revised the manuscript for this month's Tianwen Magazine three times. The officials there told me that there are still things wrong. I wonder if Lecture can help me?"
Song Mu was packing his things. Li Dong stood up and walked to Song Mu and handed over a manuscript.
Li Dong has been contributing to "Tianwen Magazine" for many years. When he first published his article, it attracted literati from all over the world to compete for it, and it became a good story for a while.
Li Dong only wrote about his own learning experience in it, so he consciously became a representative of spreading Confucianism. Such a pure and insightful article has been welcomed by many scholars.
This situation also won Li Dong another reputation. Li Ao was also quite happy about this, and Li Dong continued to do it seriously.
Song Mu carefully read the article about "It is not difficult to know, but difficult to do" in "Shangshu". After a while, he handed the article back to Li Dong with a smile and said.
"Your Highness, what you said in it is to practice it sincerely. It is already a good point. Why write about the practice? In this way, this article somewhat promotes Wei Chen's past remarks."
"I think this is the reason for asking His Highness to rewrite it."
Li Dong was stunned after hearing this, but he also said a little embarrassed.
"Lectures, why can't you advocate your theory of practice? Isn't this a good thing?"
"No, Your Highness, the so-called minister's judgment cannot be overstepped. It is an honor for a humble minister to appreciate it, but if a person serving as a king always publicizes the humble minister's remarks, it will make all people think about it."
Song Mu explained this way because Li Dong had a dispute with him. Now there are several articles related to him. If this continues, Song Mu will inevitably be criticized.
After all, this is the crown prince, and people must not think that Song Mu is using his lecturer status to influence his thoughts.
Li Dong also understood the reason and decided to revise it. However, he did not let Song Mu leave at the moment, but spoke.
"Lecture, this is also the last article I will write. After that, I will concentrate on preparing for spring."
"Your Highness has done well. This is the most important time of spring."
Song Mu naturally nodded in agreement, but this time he also spoke.
"But your Highness, don't be too nervous. What you have learned in these three years is all the world's best. You will definitely be able to win the title of Jinshi."
"Li Dong understands, it's time to give lectures."
Li Dong bowed his hands to Song Mu respectfully, and Song Mu also bowed his hands to him, and then slowly withdrew.
Song Mu had a lot of thoughts about Li Dong's participation in the Spring Festival. Three years ago, Li Dong participated in the Spring Festival for the first time, but it was a complete mess, which made him quite discouraged.
It was already very difficult for him to be promoted to Juren in the first place. Song Mu would inevitably worry about it, and it was not just about the difficulty of writing.
Song Mu was walking towards the outside of the imperial city at this moment, but before he had taken a few steps, there was an eunuch in front of him blocking Song Mu's way.
"Master Song, Prime Minister Feng has invited me."
The eunuch said this and stretched out his hand to indicate. Song Mu looked at it and just nodded silently and followed him.
In the past two years, because His Majesty's energy has become increasingly weak, Li Ao has delegated many chores to the left and right ministers.
Li Dongben also participated in it, but because his studies were the most important, Li Ao ordered him to enter the realm of Jinshi and try to participate in politics in the East Palace.
In this way, many affairs in the court are handled by the two prime ministers and six ministries, and only Li Ao's nod is required.
And because of An Guogong's incident, Prime Minister Tan, who was close to him, was somewhat alienated by Li Ao in the past few years, which made him even more vulnerable to Prime Minister Feng.
Prime Minister Feng was a person who worked hard to govern and was an important minister in the two dynasties. Many things were done properly, which made Li Ao feel relieved, and his voice in the court became more important.
Even now, Prime Minister Feng is already working next to His Majesty's Nuan Pavilion, submitting instructions and memorials at any time.
Song Mu was not too surprised that Feng Xiang asked him to come over. After all, his position as Minister of Rites also belonged to Feng Xiang's leadership.
It's just that Song Mu hasn't seen Prime Minister Feng for some time, so he is thinking about what Prime Minister Feng wants to do.
Song Mu soon followed to the location of the Nuan Pavilion in the palace. A new Nuan Pavilion was built in the courtyard, and Prime Minister Feng worked in it.
At that moment, Song Mu walked toward it. Before he could make a sound, there was already a sound coming from inside.
"It's Jing Zhao, please come in and sit for a while."
Song Mu heard this and walked slowly in. After bowing and saluting, he found a seat and sat down. When he looked up, he saw Feng Xiangzheng holding a book and reviewing it.
In recent years, many matters in the court have required Prime Minister Feng to worry about. Although Prime Minister Feng is a great Confucian, he is also a bit old.
But after all, he has a high level of knowledge and a hundred years of experience, so he is also very handy in handling the affairs of the Wen Dynasty.
Quite a bit like a minister of ZTE.
Song Mu sat aside and waited quietly. After a while, Prime Minister Feng finally finished what he was doing, called the officials to bring the memorial to His Majesty for approval, and then took a sip of water.
Song Mu was also sitting upright at this moment. Feng Xiang put down his tea cup and glanced at Song Mu, his expression calm at this moment.
"Jing Zhao, how are you doing lately?"
"Back to my lord, I have been mostly in the East Palace recently, preparing for His Highness's spring wedding."
At this moment, Prime Minister Feng also nodded, looked at Song Mu and said.
"Well, this matter is indeed very important. Jing Zhao, you should pay more attention to it."
"But it just so happens that I came to you today for this very reason."
Song Mu looked at the other party with a confused expression. Feng Xiang had already continued to ask.
"Next year's spring will be the biggest in our literary dynasty. The total number of candidates from all provinces has exceeded 10,000."
Feng Xiang paused, looked at Song Mu and said.
"Jing Zhao, how about I ask you to be the deputy examiner for Chunwei this time?"
After hearing this, Song Mu stood up suddenly.
…
(End of chapter)
